Conveyer attachment for threshing-machines.



R. W. LESHER. CONVEYER ATTACHMENT FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, 1914. 1,268,857.. Patented June 11v 1918. I

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Patented June 11, 1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I R; w. LESHER. CONVEYER ATTACHMENT FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2. I914.

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'R. W. LESHER. CONVEYER ATTACHMENT FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

' APPL| CATION FILED NOV. 2. 1914- v 1,268,857.

Patented June 11, 1918.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

. R. W. LESHER. I CONVEYER ATTACHMENT FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2. 1914. Pamnte June 1918.

R. W. LESHER.

CO NVEYER ATTACHMENT FOR THRESHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 2, I9I4.

Patented June 11. 1918.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6 ROBERT W. LESHER, OF NORTHUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA.

GONVEYER ATTAGHMENT FOR THRESHING-MACHINES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. LESHER, a citizen of the United States. residing at Northumberland, in the county of Northumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyer Attachments for Threshing-Machines, of which the following is a specification. Q

This invention relates to. conveyers, and particularly to conveyer attachments for threshing machines and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a conveyer mechanism which can be readily attached to any existing type of threshing machine, and which will serve to pick up bundles or sheaves of grain from the ground and deliver them to the feeder-carrier of the machine. More specifically, the invention has in View the provision of a conveyer of this type which may be swung in a horizontal plane so as to reach material scattered over a wide range, and which can also be adjusted so that its lowermost point can be caused to occupy positions at varying distances from the machine. In this way, all

points within a given radius are accessible to the conveyer.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter de scribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is an end elevation of a threshing machine, with the conveyer mechanism shown in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the machine, showing an end View of the conveyer;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the conveyer mechanism and part of the machine;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged detail, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the outer end of the boom, hereinafter described;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. l; l

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale of one end of the conveyer mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrow, parts being omitted;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the other end of a threshing machine, showing means for example, the pin 10*.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 11, 1918. Application filed November 2, 1914. Serial No. 869,805.

supporting the conveyer mechanism when not in use;

Figs. 9 and 10 are front and side elevations, respectively, on an enlarged scale, of the supporting bracket and associated parts;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the means for supporting the boom, parts being in section;

Figs. 12 and 13 are front and side elevations, respectively, of a carriage and transverse strut cooperating with the boom as hereinafter described; 1

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the carrier or conveyer itself;

Fig. 15 is a transverse section thereof;

Figs. 16 and 17 are side elevations, from opposite sides, showing the conveyer arms or grapples; and,

t Figs. 18 and il9 a?) sidedand front elevaions, respective o a ni in or stri in device hereinaftdi described. b pp g Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 designates a threshing machine or separator of any ordinary construction supported upon the usual wheels 2 and provided with a traveling apron or feeder 3 for carrying the grain to the threshing mechanism.

It is the object of my improved attachment to pick up the sheaves from the ground or wagon and deliver them upon this feeder apron. The conveyer mechanism as a whole is supported by means of a rigid bracket 4: securely bolted to the machine, as indicated at 5, in Fig. 2. At the outer end of the bracket 4 are formed a pair of spaced perbraced. At a point near one end of this boom is clamped a split bracket 9, also shown in Fig. 11, carrying a pair of spaced perforated lugs 10, similar to the lugs 6. These lugs are superposed in a well-known manner as shown in Fig. 11, and a pivot post 11 is inserted through them, to form a hinge the downward movement of such post being limited by any suitable means as, for From the upper end of this post extends a guy wire 12 to a point adjacent the forward end of the boom, for supporting the same, (see Fig. 1). c

As above stated, the boom consists of the parallel members 7 and 8, and these are held in proper spaced relation at intervals throughout their length by means of curved braces 13, as shown best in Fig. 7. At the rear end, the members 7 and 8 are connected by a vertical post 14, and at the forward end by a U-shaped member 15, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This U-shaped member has hollow arms 16 which fit over the ends of the tubes 7 and 8, coil springs 17 being inserted inside of the tubes and arms 16 and tending to urge the U-shaped member outwardly, Upon one side of the U-shaped member 15 is journaled a pulley 18 by means of a suitable pin or bolt 19.

At the other end of the boom is mounted a pulley 20 on a suitable shaft 21. This pulley 20 is preferably in the form of a pair of spaced sprocket wheels designed to engage the sprocket chains forming the conveyer, as hereinafter described, and between these sprocket wheels is rigidly mounted a third sprocket wheel 22, (see Fig. 7). The wheel 22 is driven by means of a sprocket chain 23 which passes around another sprocket wheel 24 on a shaft 25, journaledin a bracket 26 secured to the boom, (see Fig. One end of the shaft 25 is connected by means of a universal joint 27 with a hollow shaft 27 in which telescopes a shaft 28, connected by means of a universal joint 29 with a bevel gear wheel 30. This wheel 30 meshes with a secondbevel gear 31, secured to a shaft which is suitably driven from the thresher mechanism. In this way, motion is imparted to the conveyer.

Mounted uponand supported by the boom is a carriage 33, which is provided with pairs of grooved rollers 34-adapted to engage the tubular members 7 and 8 of the boom. To the front side of this carriage is secured a pair of clips 35, through which is free to, slide a transverse strut 36, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 12, and 13. At each end of the strut 36 is mounted a roller '37,similar to the roller 18.

a guide pulley 41, mounted upon a suitable bracket 42, guide 43, and idler pulley 44, to a winding drum 45.

A second cable 46 is secured at one end to the bracket 9 and passes around a pulley 47,

" secured to the carriage 33, and thence over a guide pulley on the support 42, guide 43, and idler 48, to a winding drum 50. It is therefore obvious that by manipulating the drums 45 and 50, the carriage may be shifted back and forth along the boom as desired. While I have shown a specific arrangement of cables and pulleys, it will be understood that this can be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Means are also provided for shifting the strut 36 up and down through the carriage transverselyof the boom, such means being preferably as follows: A cable 51 is attached to the carriage and after passing around a pulley 52, mounted upon the upper end of the strut, and a pulley 53,1nounted upon the carriage, is led around a guide pulley 54, guide 43 and idler 55 to a winding drum 56. A second cable 57 is secured at one end to the carriage 33 and, after passing around a pulley 58, mounted on the strut adjacent its lower end, and a pulley 59, mounted on the carriage, is led around an idler carried by the support 42, guide 43, and idler 60, to a winding drum 61. It is therefore obvious that by manipulating the winding drums 56 v and 61, the strut 36 may be shifted up and down relative to the carriage as desired. The winding drums above described may conveniently be mounted upon the threshing .shown in Fig. 14, this conveyer consists of two parallel endless sprocket chains spaced apart and arranged to cobperate with the sprocket wheels 20, shown in Fig. 7. The conveyer chains carry at intervals a series of arms or grapples which are constructed and attached to the chains as shown in Figs. 14 to 17. Referring to these figures, it will be seen that lugs 67 are secured to the chains 66 at desired intervals, such lugs being rigidly united by cross-bars 68. Journaled in each pair of lugs is a shaft 69, and to this shaft is rigidly secured a .pair of arms 70 and 71. The arm 70 is straight on its outer edge, while the arm 71 is offset or bent inwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 15. The outer ends of these arms have fastened thereto, spikes or prongs 72, disposed at substantially right angles to the arms, and adapted to engage the sheaves of grain. It will be observed that these prongs 72 do not lie in the plane of the arms 70 and 71, but are secured to the insides thereof, as by brazing,

riveting, or casting, as clearly shown in Fig.

1 ,eesssvat the otherto the cross-bar 68. The tension of this spring is in such a direction as to maintain the arms '70 and 71 projected at substantially right angles to the conveyer chains, the movement of the arms being limited in one direction by engagement of a united, but are pivotally mounted upon the chains and free to swing in one direction,

As may beobserved by reference to Figs. 2,

3, and 15, the straightarm of consecutive pairs is disposed alternately on opposite sides of the conveyer. The purpose of this will appear later.

Mounted upon the boom adjacent the rear end thereof, is a bracket 74%, having a pair of parallel depending arms 75, spaced apart such a distance as to permit the conveyer to run between them. On the inside of these arms are mounted rollers 76, adapted to support the chains 66, the arms 70 and 71 passing between these rollers. At the lower end of the arms 75 are forwardly projecting guards 77 disposed at an angle to the con veyer chains and serving to prevent the sheaves of grain from working upwardly into the sprocket chain 23 and other mechanism. The guards 77 act somewhat in the nature of strippers.

Between the bracket 74 and the sprocket wheels 20 is disposed the mechanism for tripping the grapples and causing them to release the sheaves. This tripping mechanism consists of a pair of brackets 78 and 80, supported from the lower boom member 8. These brackets are located on opposite sides of the conveyer and are spaced apart transversely of the feeder apron 3, directly above which they are disposed, (see Fig. 1). As clearly shown in Fig. 7, the brackets 7 8 and 80 are provided, respectively, with inturned ends 79 and 81 which project into the path of the straight arms 70 on each side, while not long enough to engage the offset arms 71, (see Fig. 15). It will be seen, therefore, that as the arms or grapples pass the brackets, they will be engaged and swung upwardly upon their pivots, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, thus causing them to discharge their load. Those grapples having the straight arm on the right, will be tripped by the inturned end 81 of bracket 80, while the alternate grapples, having the straight arm on the left, will be tripped by the inturned end 79 of the bracket 78. By this means successive grapples are caused to discharge the sheaves at different points in the width of the feeder apron 3, thus preventing congestion at one point.

It will be obvious by reference to Figs. 7 and 15, that owing to the location of the prongs 72 on the inside of the arms 70 and 71, and to the fact that the inwardly extending portions 7 9 and 81 of the brackets 78 and 80 are of the proper length, the prongs 72 just clear the'endsfof the tripping brackets and are not engaged by them. It will further be seen by reference to-Fig. 6, that the function of the rollers 76 is toelevate the conveyer chains so that the portion thereof adjacent the tripping brackets is substantially horizontal.

Fromthe foregoing description, it will be apparent that by manipulating the hand wheel 65, the boom may be swung into any des red position, and by means of the winding drums and cables, the carriage and strut may be ad usted as desired. In this way the lowermost corner of the endless conveyer can not only 'be raised and lowered, but can also be caused to occupy positions at varying distances from the threshing machine, thus covering the entire territory within the radius of the boom. These adjustments do not affectthe tension of the conveyer to any great extent, but the springs 17 serve to take up whatever slack may be produced and to maintain the conveyer taut.

hen not in use, and when transporting the machine from place to place, the con veyer mechanism may be swung around to the rear so as to lie flat'against the side of the threshing machine. In order to do this, the eye 63 of the rack bar 62 is removed from the post 14 and then the conveyer may be readily pushed around into folded position by hand.

In Figs. 8 to 10, I have shown means for supporting the conveyer when in folded posltion. Such means preferably consist of a bracket 82, adapted to be secured to the side of the threshing machine in any suitable manner. Through the outer end of this bracket passes a threaded bar 83, carrying at its upper end a semi-circular yoke or seat adapted to receive the member 8 of the boom. Disks or nuts 85 and 86 work on the screwthreaded shank 83 and serve to lock it in position. The shank is first lowered and the boom then swun into position immediately ,over the seat, whereupon by manipulating the nuts 85 and 86, the shank may be raised, so as to support the weight of the boom, and then looked in position.

In the claims, I have used the words belt and cable in referring to the conveyer, but it will be understood that by these terms I intend to include any suitable flexible connection, such as a chain, rope, cable, band, etc.

What I claim is:

1. A conveyer comprising a horizontal boom, means for pivotally supporting the same ad acent one end for swinging movement 1n a horizontal plane, a vertical transverse strut member mounted upon the boom and crossing the same, means for adjusting said transverse member longitudinally of the boom, and an endless belt supported by the ends of said boom and strut member.

2. A conveyer attachment for threshing machines comprising a horizontally pivoted boom, a carriage mounted on said boom and movable longitudinally thereof, a transverse strut carried by said carriage, an endless carrier supported by said strut and boom and having its lowermost point at the end of the strut, means for driving the carrier, and means for shifting the carriage along the boom so as to vary the distance ofthe lowermost point of the carrier from the machine.

3. A conveyer attachment for threshing a machines comprising in combination a horizontal boom pivotally supported at one end on the machine and a transverse strut mounted on said boom and movable bodily longitudinally thereof, an endless carrier supported by the ends of said strut and boom, said strut being also movable vertically lengthwise in a direction transverse to said boom, and means on the threshing machine for moving said strut both vertically and horizontally relative to said boom so as to vary the height of the carrier from the ground and its distance from the machine.

4. A conveyer comprising a horizontal boom formed of a pair of spaced members, a

carriage movable along said boom and hav ing rollers constructed to engage said members, a strut mounted on said carriage and longitudinally adjustable relative thereto, and an endless carrier supported by said boom and strut.

5. In a conveyer, a horizontal boom,

a carriage movable therealong, a strut mounted on said carriage, an endless carrier supported on said strut and boom, means for shifting sald carnage along said boom, and

independent means for adjusting the posi- ROBERT W. LE SHER.

Witnesses L. G. BURKLE, W. E. CLAee.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

